Neutron Generators For Analytical Purposes

This publication addresses recent developments in neutron generator (NG) technology. It presents information on compact instruments with high neutron yield to be used for neutron activation analysis (NAA) and prompt gamma neutron activation analysis in combination with high count rate spectrometers. Traditional NGs have been shown to be effective for applications including borehole logging, homeland security, nuclear medicine and the on-line analysis of aluminium, coal and cement. Pulsed fast thermal neutron analysis, as well as tagged and timed neutron analysis, are additional techniques which can be applied using NG. Furthermore, NG can effectively be used for elemental analysis and is also effective for analysis of hidden materials by neutron radiography. Useful guidelines for developing NG based research laboratories are also provided in this publication.

This publication addresses recent developments in neutron generator (NG) technology. It presents information on compact instruments with high neutron yield to be used for neutron activation analysis (NAA) and prompt gamma neutron activation analysis in combination with high count rate spectrometers. Traditional NGs have been shown to be effective for applications including borehole logging, homeland security, nuclear medicine and the on-line analysis of aluminium, coal and cement. Pulsed fast thermal neutron analysis, as well as tagged and timed neutron analysis, are additional techniques which can be applied using NG. Furthermore, NG can effectively be used for elemental analysis and is also effective for analysis of hidden materials by neutron radiography. Useful guidelines for developing NG based research laboratories are also provided in this publication.

The literature of 14-MeV neutron generators in activation analysis is reindexed in detail with respect to Element Determined, Matrix Analyzed and Technique Used for precise literature searching.An author index is included.Candidates for inclusion in this bibliography were selected from the technique category Accelerator Sealed Tube-Neutrons.(Author).

This handbook reviews those problems and methods of science and technology where the neutrons produced in the 3H/d, N/4He, and 2H/d, n/3He reactions play the main role. This two-volume set: Discusses possible applications of these small generators as thermal neutron sources Enables suitable topics to be selected for education and training, provides a wide range of experiments with the detection of neutrons and charged particles, including the study of shielding and the generator technology itself Gives a review of important operational characteristics of neutron generators and the necessary instruments connected with these applications Provides an account of recent results of fast neutron activation analysis in various fields.

The Plasma and Ion Source Technology Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has developed various types of advanced D-D (neutron energy 2.5 MeV), D-T (14 MeV) and T-T (0-9 MeV) neutron generators for wide range of applications. These applications include medical (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy), homeland security (Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis, Fast Neutron Activation Analysis and Pulsed Fast Neutron Transmission Spectroscopy) and planetary exploration with a sub-surface material characterization on Mars. These neutron generators utilize RF induction discharge to ionize the deuterium/tritium gas. This discharge method provides high plasma density for high output current, high atomic species from molecular gases, long life operation and versatility for various discharge chamber geometries. Four main neutron generator developments are discussed here: high neutron output co-axial neutron generator for BNCT applications, point neutron generator for security applications, compact and sub-compact axial neutron generator for elemental analysis applications. Current status of the neutron generator development with experimental data will be presented.

This handbook reviews those problems and methods of science and technology where the neutrons produced in the 3H/d, N/4He, and 2H/d, n/3He reactions play the main role. This two-volume set: Discusses possible applications of these small generators as thermal neutron sources Enables suitable topics to be selected for education and training, provides a wide range of experiments with the detection of neutrons and charged particles, including the study of shielding and the generator technology itself Gives a review of important operational characteristics of neutron generators and the necessary instruments connected with these applications Provides an account of recent results of fast neutron activation analysis in various fields.